Chemical-mixing fire-extinguisher system.



R. L. GOONBY. CHEMICAL MIXING PIRE EXTINGUISHBR SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE15, 1910.

L'Zl 8, Patented oet. 7, 1913.

.acid bottle and the ROBERT L. COONEY, OF ATLANTA, GEORGIA.

CHEMICAL-MIXING FIRE-EXTINGUSHER SYSTEM.

T 0 all 'whom 'it may concern Be it known that I, Ronnn'r L. Cooxnv, a citizen ot the United States, residing at Atlanta, in the county of Fulton and State of (lreorgia, haverinvented new'a'nd useful Improvements in Chemical-Mixing FlrevExtinguisher Systems, of which the 'following is a specification.

The present invention is an improvement in the chemical mixing apparatus of stationary fire extinguisher systems of the general type illustrated in my cti-pending` application, Serial No. 500,470 and it proposes a novel self-contained organization ot' the parts which control the operation thereof.

The objects of the invention are to provide for more ready accessibility to the operating parts; to provide also for a more facile recharging of the system and resetting oi the parts atte an operation thereof; and to improve the operation ot' the system in respects which will be jiarticularly pointed out.

An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein Figure 1` is an enlarged detail sectional view illustrating the normal relations of the parts; Fig. Q is an elevation on ay similar scale showing the relation of the parts during the discharging operation ot the acid bottle; Fig. 3 is a top plan view ot the trame in which the acid bottle is mounted; and Fig. 4 is a side elevation thereof.

Similar cluiracters ot rcterence designate corresponding parts1 throughout the several views.

The type ot system to which the invention is especially applicable, includes a tank, as l., conta ining an alkaline solution, a distributing pipe` as i2, which projects into the tank, an acid bottle, as il, which, at the time of a fire is caused vto discharge its contents into the body oi solution, a piston latch, as Lt, which nornially prevents the discharging operation ot' the acid bottl. and is operable at the time ot a fire hy a pneumaticl impulse to provide tor the discharging ojieration ot' the acid bottle, a cylinder, as 5, with respect to which the piston latch is axially movable. and a pipe or tube section, as (S, which puts the cylinder 5 in connnunication with the distributingr pipe.l Access to the interior ot the tank 1 is had through an Specification of Letters atent.

Application filed June 15, 1910.

Patented Uct. T4, 319133.

Serial No. 567,048.

opening, as 7, which is normally covered by a closure plate, as 8.

The pipe. or tube section 6 projects upwardly in the distributing pipe coaxially thereof and has a branch, as (3a, which pro# jects laterally from the distrilmtingpipe into the tank. v- The distributing pipe terms one support for-thc branch (3a, and the latter is additionally supported, as by a ring or hook 9, which is secured in the wall otx the tank. The branch 6a terminates in an upturned end portion, as 10, which projects into the opening 7, is of tapering contour, and has a ground tace.

In the embodiment shown, the acid bottle is pivotally mounted oit center in a rectangular frame, as 11, and the latter which is removably supported in the tank 'ai-ries the, associated operating parts. The acid bottle is of such construction that its upper portion is of considerably greater weight than its lower portion and this, coupled with the arrangement of its pivots, provides tor a complete reversal of the acid hottie during its discharging operation. The weighting ot' the upper portion of the acid bottle, while an objective feature, may be an incident of certain other advantageous features of construction in whichadditional walls are riequired in the upper portion ot the acid bottle. These other features which are the initial and subsequent discharging chambers 5a and 3b and a dainage chamber, as 3C, which surrounds the chamber 3a, have no relation, per Se, in a patcntable sense to the present invention. The cylinder 5 is secured at the top of the trame ll and on its upper face is provided with a transverse projection l2 which serves the threefold purpose of a handle, of a hanger, and ot a continuation of the branch tr". llVith regard to the purpose ot' the projection l) as a handle, 'it will be noted that said projection extends beyond the cylinder at opposite. si thereof and that the extending portions provide a convenient hand grip. lith regard to the purpose ot the projection 1Q as a hanger, said projection has at one end thereofa socket, as 1S, which tits over the upturned end portion l0 otl the branch (3, and the other end ot' the projection 12 seats against a lug, as 14, which projects inwardly from the edge of the opening T. 1With regard to the purpose ot the projection 12 as a continuation of the branch o,

thc-internal face of the-socket 18 is of ta-I at 16, for a purpose which Will presently appear. l

The cylinder 5 is preferably provided at its lower lend with an internal-jacket, as 17, and the piston of the piston latch is of cupfahaped outline, its annular portion Working 'a the jacket. The latter constitutes an eilicient guide for the piston and is advant-ageously filled )vith oil or glycerin to prevent corrosion, to reduce friction, and to provide a vseal against the escape of gas past theepiston. The .piston is provided on its upper side With a centrally located axial projection, as 18, which is of tapering outline and which is arranged to engagein the flaring mouth 16 of the duct l5 under circumstances to be described and to thus seal the mouth of the duct against the passage of any gas which might leak into the cylinder.

The acid bottle is preferably normally closed by a loose fitting stopper, as 19, recessed in its under face to receive the upper edge portions of the Walls of the acid bottle and having also a central recess in its upper face in which the stem of the piston latch has latching engagement. The stopper 19 is preferably connected to the cylinder 5, as by a chain 20.

During the operation of the system it is preferred to positively hold the piston latch in its uppermost position and for this purpose a suitable projection, e. gf. a bow spring, as 21, is provided on the bottom ot the acid bott-le and When the latter is completely inverted, as in Fig. 2, the projection 21 will engage the stem of the piston latch' and positively hold the latter in its uppermost position, sealing the mouth lof the duct 15, as

- shown.

As Was stated above, the piston is operated by a pneumatic impulse. There are several Ways in Which this impulse may be developed. A preferred `Way, however, consists in charging the distributing system and the tank .with pressure which is confined until the event of the fire. ln this case the pressure inthe system and the pressure in the tank must be kept equal, and for this purpose the cylinder 5 is provided'vvith a very small opening, as 22. This opening will pass pressure from the tank to the system or from the system to the tank in the event of leakage at any point and hence will maintain the pressures equal at all times. But when the ressurein the distributing system is `su denly exhausted or suddenly and materially reduced as at the time of .a fire consequent to the opening of a sprinkler head or distributing valve, the opening 22, owing to its small diameter, will not pass any material portion off the pressure 1n the tank and consequently the tank pressure being thus unrestrained, actsf to force the piston latch to its uppermost position. Thereupon the stem of the piston latch is withdrawn lfrom engagement with the loose fitting stopper 19 and the acid bottle overturns by gravity, discharg-l ing its contents into the body-of solution and bringing its projection 21 into engagement With the stem of the piston latch, whereby the latter is held in its uppermost position sealing the mouth of the duct 15 against the passage of any of the developed lQ'as which might be otherwise passed into the distributing system in advance of the outgoing column of liquid, through the duct 15 and the opening 22. The advantage of this action resides 1n the fact that it eliminates any sputtering which would otherwise take place at the open sprinkler head or hose nozzle with consequent impairment of the force and the efiiciency of the stream.

To recharge the system and reset the parts, the closure plate 8 is removed and the entire self-contained organization is lifted from the tank through the opening 8. rlhe tank is thereupon partially lled With the alkaline solution and the acid bottle is filled in any convenient manner, after which the stopper 19 is' placed in position and the piston latch reset. Thel self-contained organithrough the opening 'l' and hung in positi'on in the manner explained. The organization of the parts in this manner not only provides for a more facile recharging o the zation is thereupon replaced in the tank system but it facilitates renewals and repairs, by providing for instant and perfect accessibility to the operating parts from the exterior' of the tank.

Having fully described my invention, 1 claim: I

1. In 'a chemical mixing fire extinguisher system, a tank containing an alkaline solution, an acid bottle, a piston operable by a pneumatic impulse and having meansto control the dischargmg operation of the acid bottle, a piston cylinder, a frame carrying the acid bottle, the piston, and tho piston cylinder and removably supported in the tank, a distributing pipe eading from the tank, and a'pipe whereby said cyl- `i`1ider may communicate vvithxsaid-distributing pipe When the trahie is supported in the tank.

Q. In a chemical mixing fire extinguisher system, a tank containing an alkaline solution, an invertible acid bottle, a piston latch normally holding the acid bottle in its upright position and operable by va pneumatic impulse to disengage the acid bottle, a cylinder for the pist-on latch, a frame carrying the acid bottle, the piston latch and the c ylinder and removably supported in the tank, a vdistributing pipe leading from the tank, and a pipe whereby said cylinder may Vcommunicate with said distributing pipe when the frame is supported in the tank.

3. In a chemical mixing tire extinguisher system, a tank containing an alkaline solution, a distributing pipe comlnunicating with the tank, a pipe section arranged in the distributing pipe and having a branch which projects laterally from the distributing pipe into the tank, an acid bottle, a piston operable by a pneumatic impulse and which governs the discharging operation of the acid bottle, a piston. cylinder having means removably associated with the branch and for putting the cylinder into communication with the branch, and a frame carrying the acid bottle, the piston and the cylinder and removably supported in the tank.

4. In a chemical mixing fire extinguisher system, a tank containing an alkaline solution, an invertible acid bottle, a piston latch normally holding the acid bottle in its upright position and operable by a pneumatic impulse to disengage the acid bottle, a cylinder for the piston latch, a projection extending across the top of the cylinder and having a socket at one end thereof and a duct extending between the socket and the cylinder, a pipe'section arranged in the distributing pipe and having a branch which projects laterally from the distributing pipe into the tank and terminates in an u'pturned end portion over which the socket may be fitted, and a frame carrying the acid bottle, the piston latch and the cylinder and removably supported in the tank.

5. In a chemical mixing tire extinguisher system, a tank containing an alkaline solution, an invcrtible acid bottle, a piston latch normally holding theacid bottle in its upright position and operable by a pneumatic impulse to disengage the acid bottle, a cylinder for the piston latch, a projection extending across the top of the cylinder and having a socket at one end thereof and a duct extending between the socket and the cylinder,

the piston of the piston latch having a projection to engage in and seal the mouth of the duct when the piston latch is in its uppermost position, a pipe section arranged in the distributing pipe and having a branch which projects laterally from the distributing pipe int-o thetank and terminates in an upturned end portion over which the socket may be fitted, and a frame carrying the acid bottle, the piston latch and lthe cylinder and removably supported in the tank.

6. In a chemical mixing re extinguisher system, a tank containing an alkaline solution, an invertible acid bottle, a piston latch normally holding the acid bottle in its upright position and operable by a pneumatic impulse to disengage the acid bottle, a cylinder for the piston latch, a projection extending across the top of the cylinder and having a socket at one end thereof and a duct extending between the socket and the cylinder, the piston of the piston latch having a projection to engage in and seal the mouth of the duct when the piston latch is in its uppermost position, a pipe section arranged in the distributing pipe and having a branch which projects laterally from the distributing pipeinto the tank and termi nates in an upturned end portion over which the socket may be fitted, and a frame carrying the acid bottle, the piston latch and the operable by a pneumatic impulse to provide for the discharging operation of the acid bottle and constructed to seal 'the by-pass When operated.

In testimony lwhereofI have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing Witv nesses.

ROBERT L. oooNEY.

copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissiper of lPatens.

Washington, D. C. 

